Best Leatherman Multi Tools

Leatherman has a well deserved reputation for excellence. They make dozens of different multi tools that fit a wide variety of everyday needs. While writing our reviews of individual tools we noticed that several tools kept coming up in specific fields and tasks. That got us thinking, and the result was this, the guide to the best Leatherman multi tools.

We spent some time thinking about who uses multi tools and how they use them. We realized that there are too many possible uses to count and decided to focus on some of the most common and popular ones. In making this list we compared the products Leatherman currently has on the market and how consumers might best use them.

Here’s what we found.

Outright Winner of Best Leatherman Multi Tool for Everything

Choosing the overall best Leatherman multi tool isn’t an easy task. The company rarely produces a bad product and their range is truly massive. In the end though there was one tool that stood out from the pack.

The Leatherman Charge+ TTi is the culmination of more than 30 years of multi tool experience. It combines the highest quality materials with precision manufacturing and excellent tool design. It’s a full size multi tool with 19 different tools that cover the widest possible range of tasks. These tools include:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Replaceable Wire Cutters
Replaceable Hard Wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Wire Crimper
S30V Straight Blade Knife
420HC Serrated Blade Knife
Saw
Cutting-Hook
Spring-Action Scissors
Eight Inch Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Diamond File
Large Bit Driver
Small Bit Driver
Medium Flathead Screwdriver

The first thing you notice when you pick up a Charge+ TTi is the two tone titanium handles. They have a textured grip for firm purchase and look really sharp. The four main tools are all outside accessible and lock open for secure use.

Flipping it open reveals the smooth movement of the plier hinge and really showcases Leatherman’s commitment to quality. The tools contained within are all generously sized and made to the best possible designs. They get the job done when it counts and won’t let you down.

It provides a comprehensive range of large and small bit drivers plus several different cutting and filing options. If you’re looking for the best multi tool on the market the Leatherman Charge+ TTi is the tool for you.

For more information on the Leatherman Charge+ TTi, check out our full review.

Best Leatherman for Fishing

The Wingman is Leatherman’s main entry level multi tool. It’s priced well under $100 and gives you a lot of great tools. The Wingman is a full size multi tool, coming in at 3.8 in long and weighing 7 oz. It gives you 14 tools, including:

Spring Action Needlenose Pliers
Spring Action Regular Pliers
Spring Action Wire Cutters
Wire Strippers
420HC Combo Knife
Spring-Action Scissors
Package Opener
1.5 in Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Phillips Screwdriver
Medium Flathead Screwdriver
Small Flathead Screwdriver

Tools for fishing mainly come down to grasping and manipulating hooks, line, and tackle. The needlenose pliers are well shaped for getting a hold on a stuck hook and slipping it free. They’re a bit too large for smaller crappie or sunfish but work perfectly on a bass or catfish.

We really like the size of the scissors. We’ve all had to cut a line before, these babies will slice through it in an instant. They’re also great for piecing out bait or opening up a new package of hooks or lures.

We didn’t use the screwdrivers much for fishing but the bottle opener was a godsend. After all, what’s a fishing trip without a few cold ones?

The Leatherman Wingman is a pretty good tool at a very reasonable price. It has some rough edges due to its value pricing but still gives you a lot of bang for your buck.

For more information on the Leatherman Wingman, check out our full review here.

Best Leatherman for Camping

If camping and outdoorsmanship is an activity you pursue you need a high quality multi tool. They let you carry a single tool that covers all kinds of tasks. Most Leatherman products give you a lot of value on a camping trip but two really stand out.

Leatherman Wave Plus – The Wave+ is Leatherman’s current flagship multi tool. It’s a full size butterfly fold tool that packs a ton of useful tools into a reasonably sized package. In total there are 18 tools on the Wave+, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Wire Cutters
Hard Wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Wire Crimper
420HC Straight Blade Knife
420HC Serrated Blade Knife
Saw
Spring-Action Scissors
Eight Inch Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Diamond File
Large Bit Driver
Small Bit Driver
Medium Flathead Screwdriver

There’s a reason the Wave+ is one of the best selling multi tools of all time. It’s well made, packed with useful tools, and stands up to years of frequent use. If you’re out at a campsite it gives you everything needed to cook a can of chili, pop open a cold one, peel an apple, and while the night away whittling.

All the tools on the Wave+ are made with Leatherman’s signature attention to detail. They stand up to just about any kind of use you can think of without complaint. We really like the outside access main tools and the all locking tool design.

If you could only carry one multi tool there’s a good argument in place that it should be the Wave+. It isn’t quite the best multi tool Leatherman makes but it’s pretty darn close.

For more information on the Leatherman Wave+, check out our full review.

Leatherman Signal – The Signal is Leatherman’s most backcountry specific multi tool yet. Everything about it is designed to help you explore nature safely and comfortably. It packs 19 tools into a 4.5 in long body, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Regular Wire Cutters
Hard Wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Awl With Thread Loop
Hammer
420HC Combination Knife
Saw
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
1/4 in Bit Driver
Hex Wrench
Bit Driver
Carabiner
3/16 Hex Wrench
Safety Whistle
Ferrocerium Rod
Diamond Sharpener

If you only bring a single tool with you on a camping trip there’s a strong argument for it being the Signal. It can hammer in a tent stake, saw through branches, shave off tinder, and start a fire. It even has the capability to sharpen its own main knife blade.

That’s everything you need to set up a basic camp and enjoy a night communing with nature. Even better, it does all this in a very sharp looking design. We really like that the wilderness/survival focused tools are removable. They slot easily into the handles when not in use but pop right out when you need them.

All in all a great tool to take with you on your next camping trip.

For more information on the Leatherman Signal, check out our full review here.

Best Leatherman for Hunting

Hunters have much different needs than hikers, campers, or even fisherman. They need a tool that can help them properly maintain their equipment and process game in the field. Thankfully Leatherman has several great pocket multi tools for the job.

Bow Hunting – Bow hunting is all about becoming one with nature and stalking your prey. You only get one shot, so you need your bow and arrows to be in perfect working order. The Leatherman Cam gives you five tools to help with this, including:

Gut Hook
¼ in Hex Wrench
Broadhead Sharpener
Broadhead Wrench
Carabiner

The wrenches and sharpeners let you attach an arrowhead to a shaft after ensuring it has a razor sharp edge. Once you’ve brought your quarry down the sharp gut hook helps you quickly and efficiently clean and skin it.

The Cam is inexpensive, well made, and gives you a lot of value in a pretty small package. If you’re prepping for bow season you should definitely consider adding a Leatherman Cam to your setup.

Hunting with a Shotgun – Shotguns are one of the most common hunting weapons in use today. They’re easy to shoot, accurate, and pack a lot of power. The Leatherman Pump gives you the basic tools to troubleshoot and maintain your shotgun in the field. It gives you eight different tools, including:

Gut Hook
Choke Tube Wrench
Firearm Disassembly Punch
¼ In Hex Bit Driver
¼ In Box Wrench
⅜ In Box Wrench
Scope Adjustment Tool
8mm Hex Wrench

Like the Cam the Pump covers all the basic adjustments and minor repairs you can expect to make during a days hunt. It uses a very similar body shape and includes a razor sharp gut hook as well.

The choke tube wrench lets you adjust the choke on your shotgun while the disassembly punch makes it easy to break it down for cleaning. Overall it’s a useful little tool that gives you a lot of value in a very small package.

Best Leatherman for Hiking or Backpacking

Whether you’re out for an invigorating morning hike or attempting to thru-hike the AT you need a lightweight set of tools. Depending on where you’re hiking and what the laws are we recommend two different Leatherman’s.

Leatherman Micra – The Micra is one of the most celebrated tools Leatherman produces. It’s been on the market for over 20 years and packs a ton of value into a very small package. Despite being just 2.5 in long it gives you 10 different tools, including:

Spring Action Scissors
420HC Straight Edge Knife
Flat/Phillips Head Screwdriver
4.7 in Ruler
Nail File
Nail Cleaner
Attached Tweezers
Bottle Opener
Medium Flathead Screwdriver
Extra Small Flathead Screwdriver

The Micra is a featherweight tool, coming in at just 1.8 oz. If you’re planning on covering a dozen miles a day cutting weight is essential. It has everything you need to deal with basic tasks such as opening meal bags, trimming your nails, and doing some basic whittling.

One thing we really liked was the attached tweezers. We’ve lost more swiss army style tweezers than we care to admit. Having a permanently attached pair to remove slivers, splinters, and ticks is really nice.

The Leatherman Micra is one of our overall favorite Leatherman multi tools. The only reason we don’t recommend it as the sole hiking/backpacking multi tool is because of its included knife blade. Some countries with spectacular hiking trails have seriously restrictive knife laws.

For more information on the Leatherman Micra, check out our full review.

Leatherman Style PS – The Style PS is a great little keychain multi tool built to be 100% travel friendly. It’s just 2.9 in long and weighs an ultralight 1.4 oz. It doesn’t have a blade or large scissors, but does give you eight useful tools, including:

Spring Action Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Wire Cutters
Scissors
Flat/Phillips Head Cross Driver
Tweezers
Nail File
Carabiner/Bottle Opener

With ultralight hiking every ounce counts. The Style PS is slightly lighter than the Micra and honestly provides most of the same value. It lacks a knife blade but that’s kind of the point.

It’s the tool that you can carry through security and bring with you to any part of the world. Its main pliers may be less functional than the scissors on the Micra but they’re a lot better than nothing.

If you’re going hiking somewhere that doesn’t allow knives or other bladed instruments make sure to check out the Leatherman Style PS.

For more information on the Leatherman Style PS, check out our full review here.

Best Leatherman for Survival

The Leatherman Signal is one of the best multi tools available for Preppers and others with a survival mindset. It’s purpose-built to give you everything needed to survive in the wild. There are 19 different tools in the Signal, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Regular Wire Cutters
Hard Wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Awl With Thread Loop
Hammer
420HC Combination Knife
Saw
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
1/4 in Bit Driver
Hex Wrench
Bit Driver
Carabiner
3/16 Hex Wrench
Safety Whistle
Ferrocerium Rod
Diamond Sharpener

The Signal has a useful loadout of basic tools but what really sets it apart is the wilderness gear it contains. The most important of these are the ferrocerium fire starter rod, safety whistle, and diamond sharpener.

These fit into small slots on the sides of the Signal’s handle and can be removed when needed. This gives you everything you need to signal for help, start a fire, or sharpen up your main knife blade.

When combined with the well made general purpose tools the Leatherman Signal is a great asset for building shelter, starting a fire, and staying alive in the wilderness.

For more information on the Leatherman Signal, check out our full review.

Best Leatherman for an Electrician

The Leatherman Squirt ES4 is a specialized keychain multi tool for electricians and handymen. It includes many of the standard tools you’d expect in a multi tool as well as several very special ones. In total there are nine tools on the Squirt ES4, including:

Needlenose Pliers
20GA-12GA Wire Strippers
Wire Cutters
420HC Knife
Spring-action Scissors
Flat/Phillips Screwdriver
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Medium Flathead Screwdriver

Just looking at the Squirt ES4 tells you what its intended use is. The main tool is a set of wire strippers in a spring action setting. The screwdrivers are well sized for most minor electrical tasks. This gives a skilled electrician a basic tool set for a quick job.

The wire strippers work extremely well, especially given their small size. The cutters below them were able to power through copper and stranded wire, though we definitely don’t recommend you try cutting any hard wires.

There’s no doubt in our minds that the Squirt ES4 is Leatherman’s best electrician multi tool.

Best Leatherman for Construction and HVAC

The Leatherman Surge is the company’s largest and most heavy duty multi tool to date. It’s designed to survive being worked hard everyday without complaint. It packs 21 extra large tools into a 4.5 inch body, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Replaceable Wire Cutters
Replaceable Hard Wire Cutters
Replaceable Stranded Wire Cutters
Straight Edge Knife
Serrated Knife
Saw
Spring-action Scissors
Electrical Crimper
Wire Stripper
Awl with Thread Loop
8 inch Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Diamond Coated File
Blade Exchanger
Large Bit Driver
Large Flathead Screwdriver
Small Flathead Screwdriver

Contractors, HVAC workers, and everyone else who works with their hands demand a tool that works as hard as they do. The Surge is that tool. It’s built to withstand anything you can throw at it and keep on going.

The main tools are larger and easier to use than on many other multi tools. The scissors in particular are great for cutting through heftier materials. We really liked that all the tools lock open when in use. If you’re working on an A/C part you don’t want your tool to slip closed at a stray movement.

The Leatherman Surge is the perfect multi tool for the hardest working people out there.

For more information about the Leatherman Surge, check out our full review.

Best Leatherman for EDC

The best EDC Leatherman is undeniably the Charge+ TTi. It honestly might be the best multi tool you can get, bar none. It’s loaded out with 19 premium tools, in high end materials, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Replaceable Wire Cutters
Replaceable Hard Wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Wire Crimper
S30V Straight Blade Knife
420HC Serrated Blade Knife
Saw
Cutting-Hook
Spring-Action Scissors
Eight Inch Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Diamond File
Large Bit Driver
Small Bit Driver
Medium Flathead Screwdriver

With that loadout of tools you can solve just about any everyday situation. You can turn screws, bolts, and nuts as well as get a firm grip on anything. The straight and serrated edge knives let you cut through most any material while the included saw can power through sturdy wood.

What really makes the Charge+ TTi stand out from its peers are its top of the line craftsmanship and materials. It has lightweight and extremely durable titanium handles as well as S30V steel for its main blade. This allows the knife to hold a razor edge and resist corrosion.

There’s a reason the Charge+ TTi got our overall pick for best Leatherman multi tool. It’s incredibly well made and provides you with tools capable of solving a wide range of sticky situations.

For more information about the Leatherman Charge+ TTi, check out our full review here.

Best Leatherman for EMTs and Firefighters

EMTs and other first responders need the best tools available to effectively save lives. As far as Leatherman’s go that’s going to be either the Raptor or Z-Rex. The Raptor is our overall pick, a really well-designed tool that gives EMTs six different life-saving tools, including:

420HC Folding Medical Shears
Strap Cutter
Ring Cutter
Ruler
Oxygen Tank Wrench
Carbide Glass Breaker

What really sets the Raptor apart from similar tools is its folding design. The shears take the place of pliers and act as the main tool. They’re able to slice right through clothes and other materials without any hesitation.

The included ring and strap cutters are perfectly placed for easy use. The ring cutter in particular allows significant strength to be applied safely. There’s honestly no debate at all when it comes to the Raptor, it’s the best EMT multi tool around.

The Z-Rex is a smaller pocket tool that lets you carry some basic life-saving gear wherever you are. It gives you four tools to work with, including a carbide glass breaker, ¼ in hex wrench, oxygen tank wrench, and a removable/indexable strap cutter.

The Z-Rex is all about getting people out of dangerous situations. It lacks the Raptor’s patient handling tools but still gives you a lot of value in a very compact package.

Best Leatherman for Police/Law Enforcement

The Skeletool is one of Leatherman’s most popular products to date. What many people don’t know is that there’s actually an entire line of Skeletool variants for specialized tasks. The Skeletool RX is built for police and first responders. It gives them seven useful tools, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Hard Wire Cutters
Wire Cutters
Carabiner/Bottle Opener
Large Bit Driver
154CM Serrated Knife Blade

What makes the Skeletool so useful is its compact size and outsized value. It only has a few true tools but fulfills lots of functions. The RX skeletool is more specialized, trading out a traditional bit for a carbide glass breaker one and a higher quality knife blade.

This gives police everything needed to rescue someone from inside a vehicle. You also have a high quality pair of pliers and a very nice serrated blade knife.

The Leatherman Skeletool RX is a great tool for police and other first responders. It’s specialized without removing the general purpose utility of the original.

Best Leatherman for Army/Military

The Leatherman MUT is a tool built specifically for use with the M4/AR15 platform. It’s a large tool that lets you maintain your rifle in the field while also providing useful tools for general tasks. It gives you 16 different tools, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Regular Wire Cutters
Hard Wire Cutters
Stranded Wire Cutters
Wire Crimper
420HC Combination Knife
Saw
Replaceable Cutting Hook
Hammer
Bronze Carbon Scraper
Bolt Override Tool
#8-32 Cleaning Rod Attachment Point
Firearm Disassembly Punch
Carabiner and Bottle Opener
Large Bit Driver

About a quarter of the tools on the MUT are only useful for M4 maintenance. These include the carbon scraper, bolt override tool and several others. They give you everything needed to disassemble your rifle and give it a thorough cleaning.

For service members this is invaluable. When you add in the utility of the standard tools you end up with a very nice overall package. The pliers and wire cutters will see use just about everyday. We really liked the included hammer, it allows you to pound things down without risking an expensive tool.

If you’re looking for a good multi tool to take with you wherever duty requires the Leatherman MUT is an excellent option.

For more information on the Leatherman MUT, check out our full review.

Best One-Hand-Operable Leatherman Multi Tool

One hand operable multi tools are becoming more and more popular. At the moment Leatherman only offers one such tool, the Leatherman OHT. It’s a full size multi tool with 16 different locking tools, including:

Spring Action Needlenose Pliers
Spring Action Regular Pliers
Spring Action Premium Hard Wire Cutters
Spring-action Premium Wire Cutters
420HC Knife
420HC Serrated Knife
Saw
Strap Cutter
#8-32 Cleaning Rod/Brush Adapter
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Oxygen Tank Wrench
Phillips Head Screwdriver
Large Flathead Screwdriver
Medium Flathead Screwdriver
Small Flathead Screwdriver

The concept of one handed opening tools originated with the military. There are lots of situations where a service member needs access to a tool but can’t free up both of their hands. The OHT seeks to provide exactly the tool they need, even going so far as to be operable in heavy gloves.

It takes the concept a step further than most similar multi tools in that every tool is one handed operable. They’re designed to flip out easily and lock into place until you’re finished with them. The overall craftsmanship of the OHT was excellent. The tools themselves did exactly what they were meant for and did it well.

If you’re looking for a one handed operable multi tool the Leatherman OHT should definitely be high on your list.

For more information on the Leatherman OHT, check out our full review.

Best Leatherman for a Mechanic

The Leatherman Surge is a big, rugged multi tool that gives you a lot of useful tools. It has fully 21 different tools that are almost as capable as a purpose built tool. These include:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Replaceable Wire Cutters
Replaceable Hard Wire Cutters
Replaceable Stranded Wire Cutters
Straight Edge Knife
Serrated Knife
Saw
Spring-action Scissors
Electrical Crimper
Wire Stripper
Awl with Thread Loop
8 inch Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Diamond Coated File
Blade Exchanger
Large Bit Driver
Large Flathead Screwdriver
Small Flathead Screwdriver

A good mechanic can find tons of ways to use the Surge. The most obvious is with the large pliers and multiple bit drivers. They let you easily inspect a vehicle wherever you are and quickly turn bolts and screws.

The main knife blade is great at cutting through packages and the serrated blade does an excellent job slicing through rubber hoses and tubes. What really sets the Surge apart from other Leatherman’s is its incredible durability and build quality.

The Surge is overbuilt in just about every way. The handles are larger and stronger than on just about any other multi tool. The same can be said for the tools themselves. They’re big and heavy duty. You can use them in ways that just aren’t possible with smaller, daintier multi tools.

If you’re looking for the best Leatherman for a mechanic the Surge is definitely the tool for you.

For more information on the Leatherman Surge, check out our full review.

Best Leatherman for AR15

If you’re a sports shooter or otherwise frequently use modern sporting rifles like the AR15 there are really just two Leatherman’s for you. These are the MUT and the Rail. The MUT is a full size multi tool that gives you 16 different tools, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Regular Wire Cutters
Hard Wire Cutters
Stranded Wire Cutters
Wire Crimper
420HC Combination Knife
Saw
Replaceable Cutting Hook
Hammer
Bronze Carbon Scraper
Bolt Override Tool
#8-32 Cleaning Rod Attachment Point
Firearm Disassembly Punch
Carabiner and Bottle Opener
Large Bit Driver

It provides everything needed to field strip, clean, and reassemble an AR15 rifle and repair most basic issues. It also gives you a variety of general use tools. This makes it more versatile than many other shooting specific multi tools. That means you have to carry fewer tools overall and can save on weight.

If you just want a way to maintain your rifle the Leatherman Rail might be a better tool for you. It’s smaller and more purpose specific than the MUT but still provides just as much shooting utility. It provides 6 tools that let you adjust your front sight, disassemble your rifle, and scour out carbon with.

Each of these tools fills a different niche but work equally well in them. If you want a true multi tool that works with your AR15 the MUT is the one for you. If you want a tool to throw in your range bag I’d go with the Rail.

Best Leatherman for the Money

When we talk about value multi tools many people immediately jump to cheap. We firmly believe there are no cheap Leatherman’s out there. The company has several entry level products at excellent price points but nothing they make can be called cheap.

Leatherman Wingman, Sidekick, and Rev – The Leatherman Wingman is the company’s primary entry level multi tool. It’s a full size tool that’s made from less expensive materials with looser tolerances. This allows Leatherman to come out with a really good multi tool at a bargain basement price. It provides you with 14 different tools, including:

Spring Action Needlenose Pliers
Spring Action Regular Pliers
Spring Action Wire Cutters
Wire Strippers
420HC Combo Knife
Spring-Action Scissors
Package Opener
1.5 in Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Phillips Screwdriver
Medium Flathead Screwdriver
Small Flathead Screwdriver

The Wingman is kind of an odd looking multi tool but it’s just about the best deal out there. It gives you highly functional pliers, a quality knife blade, and generously sized scissors. The various other tools aren’t as functional as on other Leatherman products but they mostly get the job done.

There are two other versions of the Wingman available, the Sidekick and the even cheaper Rev. The Sidekick is identical to the Wingman but for the inclusion of a pair of serrated blades. The Rev though is an even more stripped down version of the Wingman.

We recommend the Wingman over these other products. It has a more balanced tool loadout and is honestly a really good tool.

Leatherman Rebar – If you’re willing to spend just a few dollars more you can move into an entirely new category of quality. The Wingman’s a great entry level tool, but the Leatherman Rebar is a good all up multi tool. It packs in 17 tools, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Replaceable Wire Cutters
Hard Wire Cutters
Electrical Crimper
Wire Stripper
420HC Knife
420HC Serrated Knife
Saw
Awl with Thread Loop
8 In Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Phillips Screwdriver
Large Screwdriver
Small Screwdriver

The Rebar is basically just a smaller version of the Leatherman Super Tool 300. It bears a striking resemblance to the company’s earliest multi tools and combines the ruggedness of heavy duty tools with a smaller, more portable size.

The Rebar lacks many of the geewhiz features like bit drivers found on other multi tools but the tools it has are extremely well made. One thing that the Wingman fails at is providing actual full size tools. The ruler and file especially are little more than placeholders.

The Rebar is a true full size multi tool. All its tools are full size and they function as such. While not the absolute best value for a multi tool, the Leatherman Rebar is an incredibly good deal. If you can get it at a discount we highly recommend you do.

For more information on the Leatherman Rebar, check out our full review.

Best Leatherman for Boy Scouts

One of the best memories of many boy’s lives is getting their first pocket knife or multi tool. For many, this writer included, it came after achieving a Boy Scout Whittling Chip. The best Leatherman for Boy Scouts is definitely the Leatherman Leap. It’s designed to help teach responsibility and gives you up to 13 tools, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Hard Wire Cutters
Wire Cutters
420HC Knife – User Installed
Saw
Spring-action Scissors
Ruler
Tweezers
Bottle Opener
Phillips Screwdriver
Medium Screwdriver
Small Screwdriver

The Leap is made to be a full size multi tool for a growing child. It’s just 3.3 inches long and includes smaller versions of the most common multi tool loadout tools. Available in multiple kid friendly colors, it lets you gauge their level of responsibility in a controlled manner.

Kids will love that all the included tools are fully functional while parents will delight in the built in safety features. The most important one is its knife blade, or lack thereof. The Leap ships without a knife installed. It comes with it but you as the parent get to decide when your child is ready for it.

The Leatherman Leap is an excellent multi tool for passing on the values of self reliance to the next generation of kids and Boy Scouts.

Best Leatherman for Bug Out Bags

Bug out bags are a ‘just in case’ item popular among preppers and people in disaster prone areas. It’s a bag kept packed and ready that allow you to leave in an instant. That means any multi tool in a bug out bag won’t be used except in an emergency. For that reason we chose the Leatherman Wingman as the best Leatherman for bug out bags.

It’s well made, has a lot of useful features, and is inexpensive enough to be purchased as a backup tool. It gives you 14 different tools, including:

Spring Action Needlenose Pliers
Spring Action Regular Pliers
Spring Action Wire Cutters
Wire Strippers
420HC Combo Knife
Spring-Action Scissors
Package Opener
1.5 in Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Phillips Screwdriver
Medium Flathead Screwdriver
Small Flathead Screwdriver

There are certainly better multi tools out there than the Wingman. For a bug out bag though its low cost and useful loadout of basic tools are just what’s needed. By its nature a bug out bag sits packed and unused until an emergency comes.

You don’t want to have a $100+ multi tool sitting in a bag unused.

For more information on the Leatherman Wingman, check out our full review.

Best Leatherman Blade Steel

When it comes to premium blade steel the only Leatherman’s we need to think about are the Charge+ and Charge+ TTi. Both have upgraded tool loadouts and blade steels, with the TTi just a bit higher quality on both respects. These multi tools each have 19 different tools, including:

Needlenose Pliers
Regular Pliers
Replaceable Wire Cutters
Replaceable Hard Wire Cutters
Wire Stripper
Wire Crimper
S30V Straight Blade Knife – Charge+ TTi only
154Cm Straight Blade Knife – Charge+ Only
420HC Serrated Blade Knife
Saw
Cutting-Hook
Spring-Action Scissors
Eight Inch Ruler
Can Opener
Bottle Opener
Wood/Metal File
Diamond File
Large Bit Driver
Small Bit Driver
Medium Flathead Screwdriver

We’ve gone over the quality and usefulness of the Charge lines tools, here we’re just concerned with blade quality.

The Charge+ uses 154CM stainless steel. This is an improvement over Leatherman’s standard 420HC stainless steel. It has better edge retention and corrosion resistance properties but isn’t quite as good as the S30V on the Charge+ TTi.

If you want the absolutely best knife blade Leatherman makes you should spend the extra money and pick up a Charge+ TTi.

Conclusion

There’s a reason Leatherman is one of the finest multi tool makers in the world. They’ve spent 30+ years honing their craft and choosing newer and better materials to build with. Leatherman truly cares about their customers and is always looking to provide additional value to them.

Any Leatherman product is going to make you happy. Choosing the best Leatherman multi tool really comes down to what you need and what you’re willing to spend. Just about every Leatherman product can be considered the best or nearly the best in its own category.